Reijo Käki FOPA –Finnish Organic Farmers Alliance Country analysis PRM legislation of Finland The situation of Finnish farmers Reijo Käki FOPA –Finnish Organic Farmers Alliance

Abstract Finland, northernmost country in EU Very small seed markets Strict seed legislation Landraces are minor issue No organic varieties available Very little testing other than new varieties Only few products produced of old varieties available

Northern location Advantages of production Disadvantages of production Less diseases and pests Long summer days Clean soil, water and air Disadvantages of production Short growing season Less suitable varieties to grow Long distances and small population Small local markets Transportation costs of export (over the Baltic) expensive

Niche market for breeders Only one Finnish breeder Finland is niche market for breeders. Organic seed market niche of niche!

National catalogue of varieties vs. seeds in markets Many varieties, but same genetic heritage. They are not breed for low-input farming. Farmers offered only same popular varieties. Variety in catalogue does not guarantee or require availability from seed companies.

Seed markets For example: When new rule of 100 % organic feed came for organic cows Seed companies didn’t have available good legume varieties for feed production. They also had very limited amount legume seeds for sale. First years most legume seeds came illegally from other organic farms.

Conservation varieties Regulations are too strict. Variety must be of Finnish origin. We have only few varieties on the catalogue. we can hardly find more.

Landraces and old varieties Case examples Old spring spelt variety from Gotland Milling company wanted to make cultivation contract of the variety Farmers wanted to buy the seeds of the ”variety” No sertified seeds available = Potential sales wasted Old varieties from other Nordic countries potential for Finland How to get the seeds legally?

Variety testing Only new conventional varities. No organic variety testing. Some field test on conventional varieties in organic fields. They have some old varieties in these tests. No variety test for low-input farming There is need for farmside and local testing.

Non-commercial seeds Impossible for farmers legally get the seeds to the variety testing. Exchanging seeds between farmers illegal, even for testing seeds in different location. Barriers of entry to market. DUS and VCU testing far too expensive. Uniform and stable requirements are too high.

Conclusions of Finnish farmers Seed companies decides what kind of varieties are available. Farmers are do not have access to the varieties they need. Varieties suitable for organic farming needed Farmers, gardeners and conservation networks are legally prohibited to sell and exchange seed. Marketing rules hinder development of genetic diversity in crops.

Biodiversity products & sustainable agriculture possibility for Finnish farmers to survive Production cost weakness of Finnish agriculture Focus on quality instead of quantity Strengh is in organic production Potential in biodiversity products

Reijo Käki Finnish Organic Producers Alliance reijo.kaki@gmail.com Thank you! Reijo Käki Finnish Organic Producers Alliance reijo.kaki@gmail.com